The smell of grilled onions and warm tortillas is supposed to mean something simple: lunch, a quick stop, a normal day.
But KHOU 11 reporter Anayeli Ruiz says one taco truck in Pasadena has now been pulled into a much darker story – one that police believe used everyday routines to get close to people who already felt stuck, stressed, and easy to pressure.
According to Ruiz’s reporting, a 45-year-old woman named Irma Hernandez is under arrest, accused of impersonating an immigration agent, taking thousands of dollars from families, and then threatening them when they demanded answers.
A Scam Built Around Trust And Timing
Ruiz says Pasadena police believe the alleged scheme dates back to 2023, and investigators think there may be more victims who haven’t come forward yet…